The Great Lakes Science Center’s Omnimax theater might dwarf the region’s independent cinemas in terms of sheer size. However, it shares a similar problem in converting its operations from analog to digital, which comes with a hefty price tag.As a result, the science center is looking to raise about $1.9 million to outfit its 320-seat, iconic domed theater with digital projectors and an upgraded sound system. Much like with standard theaters, foregoing the upgrades could threaten the science center’s ability to secure the latest pictures as movie studios phase out traditional film.“Within five years, we’ll be reduced to simply going back to old films in the library,” said Kirsten Ellenbogen, president of the science center. The Cleveland International Film Festival recently secured a $500,000 loan from the George Gund Foundation to convert nine theaters at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland — the festival’s headquarters of sorts — to digital projection equipment. Ellenbogen said the science center is exploring similar options and looking for private backers to support the project.Ellenbogen said a timeline for the project hasn’t been determined, but she stressed the need for the upgrades was immediate considering 20% of the science center’s admission revenue comes from the theater. About half the science center’s guests opt to see a film.“The scale of this transformation is not as simple as changing over a typical screening format given the dome situation,” she noted. “There is some urgency to this as we lose access to quality films.”Ellenbogen said the science center also hopes to receive state money through the coming capital budget. If secured, she expects Title 1 schools, which now can visit the science for free, also will get to see Omnimax films at no charge. “This particular capital bill has an economic development focus on it,” she said. “This theater is a significant landmark — even the dome itself — on the lakefront. And all eyes are on the lakefront right now.”

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